ARE YOU AFRAID OF MISSING THREE-FOOT PUTTS?

Alexander Victor Schauffele, the rookie PGA Tour player known as Xander Schauffele carded a three-under 67 Sunday, finishing at 14-under par to win the 2017 Greenbrier Classic by one stroke ahead of Robert Streb. The 23-year-old started the final round three shots behind the leader Sebastian Munoz who had led since the first round. On the par-three 18th hole Xander finished strong by hitting his tee shot within three feet of the cup. He closed strong and got his first career win by sinking the winning birdie putt.

Xander had looked at the leaderboard in front of the 17th green and knew where he stood. He said he was “very nervous” when asked how he had felt just before sinking his final putt. Perhaps his nervousness was caused by thinking he had to sink the putt to win the tournament, or thinking about the $1.28M winner’s prize money, or moving up in the FedExCup standings, or the spots that would be earned in upcoming championships.

A three-foot putt is probably the easiest stroke in golf. It may be the simplest task in all sports. Golfers make it the most difficult by indecision and by thinking fearful thoughts. There is very little movement of the putter back and forth to go wrong in a 3-foot putt. When a golfer’s mind chatter takes over, that is where golf becomes a “mental game.” Because a short putt is such an easy stroke, you think you are supposed to make it. The fear thought of missing and the resultant public embarrassment is what makes it so difficult.

It was interesting to listen to the sports announcers in the booth at the Greenbrier describing the action. Because they were detached from the action, they were able to verbalize what Zander needed to be thinking. They said he should be congratulating himself and feeling good about the great shot he had hit close and for the opportunity to make birdie instead of thinking about what the result might mean.

In a tournament situation you have to train your mind not to think in the future. You have to relax, trust your training and allow your body to Just Do It like you have done hundreds of times before. Xander was aware of his anxiety and said, “I felt very nervous late in the round. I just tried to go back to the basics; close my eyes and take some deep breaths.” It worked.

Good putters don’t spend time thinking about missing. They only remember the good putts they made that build their confidence.

Play “in the zone” with Joan

Entrain Your Heart & Mind for Peak Performances

To train your brain to play your best golf, listen to Positive Mental Imagery self-hypnosis guided imagery CDs in the privacy of your own home, available at www.pmi4.com/cart

If you aren’t able to maintain trust and belief in yourself on the golf course, email Joan at pmi4@bellsouth.net or call 828.696.2547 for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation about developing a new strategy. Learn what is missing in your golf game so you can achieve the success you desire.

“THE HEART OF GOLF, Access Your Supreme Intelligence for Peak Performances”explores and explains negative emotions such as fear and performance anxiety, the four Cs of mind blockage, the four progressive stages of learning the supreme intelligence of the heart, and the way to access the zone in a competition. It is a player’s guide for developing your true inner self by returning to the joy and love of self instead of seeking praise and rewards from the outside world.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Sign up to our newsletter!

About Joan

25th YEAR OF MENTAL GOLF COACHING
Joan King, BCH is the founder of Positive Mental Imagery, a mental sports consulting service dedicated to helping golfers achieve their peak performances. Since 1992 Joan has given mental golf workshops, individual mental coaching and hypnosis to amateur and professional golfers internationally. Read More

Categories

Recent Posts

Testimonials

Thank you for providing the type of service you do. It has been totally amazing help for my son Andrew. I am so glad that I contacted you. With your exceptional communication skills you were able to deliver a service to a boy who is on the other side of the world.
Melina Caruso
Bali, Indonesia

Just an email to thank you. I kept it mentally together today by just thinking about your CD. I improved my 'best score ever' by 4 shots at not an easy course. I played 80 gross (net 63). My playing partner mentioned afterwards that I looked really relaxed. This was because of your CD.
Saskia van Oldenborgh
Belgium

“I am much more relaxed when I play with both better players and less experienced players. I can converse with the group and then change focus, breathe, and play the shot. I enjoy golf more and I let it happen instead of trying to force good golf. Listening to the Putting CD helped give me the confidence I needed to “just know” my putting was great.” Assistant Golf Professional
Kenmure Country Club, NC

I have worked with Joan over the phone for the past year. I have continued to improve to the point that my handicap went from a six to a one. I use the PMI mental golf training workbook as a good reference to stay on track.
Jeff Thompson

I sincerely thank you for giving me the confidence to perform and win. I will keep listening to your CD’s. I owe you so much, you are amazing. I’m very grateful !!!
Doug Ross

“I am much more aware, more focused, more relaxed on the golf course. With my new positive attitude I am having more fun and shooting lower scores.”
--- Male 30-handicapper who reduced his handicap 4 strokes after one session